Inventory of Henry VIII of England

The Inventory of Henry VIII of England compiled in 1547 is a list of the possessions of the crown, now in the British Library as Harley Ms. 1419.

The inventory was made following a commission of 14 September 1547 during the first year of the reign of Edward VI of England. The surviving manuscripts list the possessions of Henry VIII of England item by item, by their location in houses. The armaments of ships and forts are also recorded.[1] Altogether there are 17,810 items listed, and some of these entries contain multiple objects. Despite this abundance, only a very small number of objects survive and can be identified. The monetary values of the objects were not recorded, though the weights of many gold and silver items were given.

The three original manuscripts of the Inventory are; Society of Antiquaries MS 129A & B, and a duplicate copy at British Library Additional MS 46348; and British Library Harley MS 1419A & B. BL Add. MS 46348 was used in the Tower of London after the inventory was complied to track changes in the royal collections and contains later annotations.[2]

These manuscripts were edited and published in full for the first time in 1998. The published transcription allotted each item an index number to facilitate further study. The team of editors provided a thematic index of generic headings in alphabetical order. Within the index many heading provide short glossaries. This indexing solution to the large number of royal possessions has itself a helpful introduction running to three and half pages.[3]

Over 4000 objects at Whitehall Palace in the keeping of Sir Anthony Denny were recorded in 1542. This inventory survives in manuscript [The National Archives TNA] at Kew, PRO E315/160 and PRO E101/472/2, and at the British Library, BL Lansdowne Rolls 14 & 15. The Whitehall inventory was published in 2004.[7]

The inventory intended to list all of the late King's; jewels, plate, stuff, ordinance, and munition. Commissioners were appointed to view the royal mansion houses, stables, and stores of munition. The sections below sketch aspects of this collection.

The Royal Gold Cup, 23.6 cm high, 17.8 cm across at its widest point; weight 1.935 kg of solid gold, enamels and jewels, showing Saint Agnes appearing to her friends in a vision.

The inventory has 3690 entries for precious metals and stones. These include a coffer of Catherine Parr's jewels which remained at the Tower of London, amongst its contents were gold headresses set with pearls and diamonds (habillements); girdles with gold links set with diamonds, rubies and pearls; and two jewels fashioned with the initials HK, for Katherine and Henry.[8] One more recent acquisition was a jewel with balas rubies bought from Anton Fugger;

"A jewell bought by the kinges Majestie of Anthony fulker and his company of Antewarpe in May 1551 and delivered to t'handes of the Earl of willteshere lorde treasurer of England by the kinges Majestie the VIIth day of June 1551.
A fayer flower of golde having sett in the same three table ballaces sett withowte foyle, and between everey ballace a perle, and in the myddes betwene the three ballaces a large pointed Diamounte and a perle pendaunt at one of the ballaces."[9]

Edward VI was obliged to buy this jewel, which he described in his diary, for 100,000 crowns because the English crown owed £60,000 to the Fugger's bank.[10] The enamelled Royal Gold Cup which survives in the British Museum is listed simply as;[11] "a Cuppe of gold with Imagerie, the knopp a crowne Imperiall and aboute the bordre of the cover and the foote a Crowne garnished with lxii garnishing perles weying lxxix oz," and identified by its original number of pearls.[12] The "knopp a crowne Imperiall" and "the bordre of the cover" with its pearls were lost at some point between the 17th and 19th centuries. Notes in the inventory record diplomatic gifts given and some incidents; in the summer of 1552, Edward VI lost a large pearl pendant from a gold chain while riding between Titchfield and Southhampton. The pearl was found and returned in May 1553.[13]

Apart from collections of jewels and the stores of the Royal Wardrobe, items were listed in the houses where they were kept. As well as Henry's major palaces, the contents of his children's homes and wardrobes were listed. These include;

The elaborate furnishing textiles and beds of these houses are listed in detail. Beyond this general magnificence, the inventory hints at Henry VIII's own interests and activities; at Westminster Palace there was a little study called the New Library, with equipment for writing, drawing, painting and surveying. Two shelves held patterns for castles and engines of war, and there was a portfolio for plans, noted as a 'a case for a platte covered with leather.'[15]

In 1906 the historian and tapestry-maker W. G. Thomson commented on the 1547 inventory that the king, "had a perfect mania for acquiring tapestries by any means that presented itself." Thomson was first to print the full list of tapestries but omitted the dimensions. These were given in English yards, or French and Flemish ells. In total, Thomas P. Campbell estimates the inventory list at approximately 2,450 tapestry wall hangings, and 300 other tapesty furnishings.[16] A entry for one of the newer suites listed in the Wardrobe at Westminster reads;

Amongst the many other furnishing textiles of embroidered silk and brocade in the Wardrobe at Hampton Court there was a crimson bed and a pair of crimson satin cushions embroidered with the arms of James V of Scotland.[18] These items may have been seized at Edinburgh in 1544.

The properties of the Master of Revels, Thomas Cawarden run to 237 items. As well as costumes for court Masques for men and women, and bards (decorative trappings for horses), Cawarden was also keeper of the royal tents. The theatrical props included;

Two coverings of cloth-of-gold tissue and purple velvet embroidered with a man-at-arms of silver riding upon a Mount and a lady standing in clouds casting darts at him with harts and 'sisars' of gold. (no. 8607)

12 long narrow masquing garments for men of cloth-of-gold and tissued gold and silver guarded about the skirts with green tinsel (silk woven with metal ribbon) and guarded all over with green satin bend-wise (diagonally) under four bodies colours and undersleeves of cloth-of-silver, the long sleeves hanging by of cloth-of-silver and cloth of tissue paned bar-wise (horizontal stripes) having great leaves of green satin about, the 'Scise' of the sleeves 12 'scaplers' of crimson satin cut and edged with yellow sarsenet with leaves about the colour of green satin. 12 hats to the same of the said cloth-of-gold tissued fringed with Cologne silver and garnished with leaves of green satin. (no. 8619)

8 Italian gowns for women with ruff sleeves, 4 of flat cloth-of-gold striped with silver, 'cheverned' with crimson satin, upon the labels or pendants of yellow sarsenet hanging of great tassels at the skirts, the nether bases or skirts of purple velvet upon silver th'under sleeves of crimson tinsel (silk woven with metal ribbon) cut upon white sarsenet, th'other 4 of flat cloth-of-silver striped with gold with ruff sleeves, nether sleeves, labels and 'chevernes' as the other first 4, the nether skirts of cloth-of-gold tissue blue, 8 coiffs of Venice gold with their perukes of hair hanging to them and long labels of coloured lawn. (no. 8659)

Cawarden's store of tents included lodgings and dining-houses for the King, with furnishings of rich painted and embroidered hangings. Tents from the royal store were issued to the Earl of Warwick for his military campaign to Scotland in the Summer of 1547, including a pavilion and hale (hall tent) of the "King's highness' lesser Lodging," to be used for the commander's field headquarters. (nos.8765-8839) Cawarden had extra expense drying these tents, which came back "from Skotland wetted in the shippe."[19]

5 Flutes of ivory tipped with gold enamelled black; 5 cases of four flutes, one missing; a case of 15 flutes; a case of 7 flutes; a flute and 2 fifes of black ebony tipped with silver in a red leather bag; 3 glass flutes and one of wood painted like glass; 3 wood flutes; 3 more flutes in a red leather bag; all at Westminster.

Pilgrim staves, called Flutes, a case of 10, only six complete, a case for 7 shawms with 5 pilgrim staves in it, all at Westminster.

Pipes, 4 inventory entries, a case of pipes at Westminster.

Portative organs; a pair of portatives covered with crimson satin and embroidered with gold and silver passement on an oak table in a chamber in the Long Gallery at Hampton Court at the garden end, another 'instrument' with similar decoration in the chamber between the Bed Chamber and Privy Chamber, (these two rooms were small oratories).

double regals, 6; two covered in purple velvet embroidered with the king's arms; another with the King and Jane Seymour's arms; one with the arms & garter; one painted with 'antique work' and the King and Jane Seymour's arms, all at Westminster; another at Windsor Castle, painted 'antique' with a rose painted and gilt.

pairs of Regals, 4 entries; a pair of Regals in crimson velvet case in the Long Gallery at Hampton Court, a pair in the Queen's Gallery at Hampton Court.

9 Pairs of Single Regals, at Westminster; two pairs with the royal arms and garter painted on the bellows; one pair painted with black 'antique work'; another painted with black arabesque.

a fair instrument being Regals and virginals in the King's withdrawing chamber at Greenwich Palace..

Viols; 19 great and small; 4 gitterons with their cases called Spanish viols; a red chest with 6 viols with the King's arms, all at Westminster,

Virginals; a new pair of double virginals covered with black leather with small printed and gilt roses, the lid lined in green and garnished with red silk ribbon lozenge-wise; another new pair yellow varnished with red arabesque work, lid with purple lining and painted and gilt with the King's arms; a little pair covered with red leather; 2 fair pairs of new long virginals made harp fashion of cypress wood with ivory keys with the King's arms crowned with his grace's beasts and the garter gilt, with a case in walnut with white wood inlay of 'antique' pattern; a [blank in MS] virginal on a timber foot in a cabinet covered with crimson satin in the Privy Gallery at Westminster; a pair in the King's gallery at Greenwich Palace; two old pairs at the More; an old and very broken pair at Beaulieu alias New Hall.

At Hampton Court; a pair fashioned like harp, and 7 pairs in cases of printers (i.e. printed) leather in the Long Gallery; a pair in the 'next' or second bedchamber.

The ship lists includes those at sea and those docked. There are separate entries for munitions and crew. The munitions list records cannon, hand-arms, powder and shot. Crews are numbered as mariners and gunners. Two ships had been captured at Leith in 1544 from the Royal Scots Navy. The listed ships include;[23]

The guns of English coastal fortifications and forts in France are noted. At major establishments the armaments are noted by bulwark and blockhouse. The list was compiled from December 1547 to March 1548 during the war of the Rough Wooing so a number of outposts in the Scottish Borders are recorded; as were some of the Scottish guns captured at the battle of Pinkie. The inventory details body armour supplied from the Hampton Court armoury for the Scottish expedition. There was also iron shot for captured Scottish guns stored at Calais.[24]

Shot, powder, gunnery tools, and other equipment was recorded. Some cannon were old, dangerous, broken, or un-mounted, and the lists noted broken firing chambers for breech-loaders. Some of these broken cannon had burst when firing salutes. The Ordnance house at Calais had accumulated quantities of iron shot of redundant calibre. Equipment at the Tower of London included some exotic pieces and large numbers of decorated ceremonial hand-arms. Most garrisons held Moorish pikes, bills and bows. Armouries and fortified places with royal cannon listed included;[25]

The Long House; an armour for the King (Henry VIII), all graven and parcel gilt which was to be taken on the King's voyage to Boulogne; etc.

First House; on the second (wooden) horse an armour given to Sir Harry Knyvet over the sea, and a steel saddle with blue velvet that served Captain Julian at the battle of Campe in France; on the third (wooden) horse an armour given to the King by the Emperor Maximilian; etc.

Second House; 3 elaborate horse armours.

Third House, equipment for Edward VI's practice; a horse of wood with a bridle of cloth-of-tissue and russet velvet with two collars with 16 bells silver and gilt; 2 saddles of crimson velvet embroidered with goldsmith's spangles silver and gilt; a saddle of blue velvet embroidered with spangles of goldsmith's work, all white; a saddle of purple velvet embroidered with goldsmith's work silver and gilt; a saddle of black velvet fringed with Venice gold; one heavy 'Arymygne' sword for the King.

Hampton Court; delivered out of the store by John Lyndsay; 200 pairs of Almain rivets (front and back plates); 200 pairs of Almain rivets to the Earl of Warwick by the Lord's warrant at Sheen 20 July 1547, (for use in Scotland); 550 pairs of Almain rivets delivered for use in the 3 shires of Wales, 9 July 1547; 300 more pairs for use in Wales delivered to George Penriddock servant to Sir George Herbert for use in Wales, 9 July 1547; remaining at Hampton Court in John Lyndsey's hands, 27 pairs, breast and back. 20 pairs of vambraces; 24 pairs of gauntlets; 58 maces; 328 old steel saddles; 494 new steel saddles received since Henry's death from William Damsell, King's Agent in Flanders; other armour and old horse and rider's armour. Delivered by John Lyndsey out of the store since the death of Henry VIII; 50 complete armour for demi-lances, "to my Lord Protectors grace against his voiage into Scotlande," with 100 maces and 40 steel saddles; 231 lances to be sold for the King by Sir Richard Gresham.[27]

Westminster Palace, in the charge of Sir Thomas Darcy and Hans Hunter, armourer; includes 8 wooden target shields painted with diverse histories, trimmed with velvet with five crimson satin girdles.

Westminster, in the charge of Alan Bawdesonne; fine handguns including; 380 Italian pieces gilt without chambers with flasks and touch boxes, 16 flasks missing; 2 Italian pieces parcel gilt and varnished covered with velvet; a chamber piece in a stock of wood lined in the cheek with velvet; one long chamber piece with a fire-lock set in walnut; etc.

Westminster, in the charge of Hans Hunter, armourer; a complete harness (armour) with a long 'bast' engraved all-over and parcel gilt with roses and pomegranates which belonged to Henry VII of England; etc.

Westminster, in the charge of John Lyndsay, armourer; 564 Almain rivets with 560 back plates and 526 pairs of splints (greaves) with 454 matching sallets; 524 collars and gorgets.

Received from the charge of Sir Anthony Denny; 6 forest bills, 2 with black staves, 4 white; 2 partisans. (staff-weapon for ceremonial use), party gilt with the King's arms graven on them, garnished with green passementerie, fringed with green and white silk; 3 partisans party gilt garnished with blue velvet and fringed with blue silk; 37 partisans party gilt garnished with green velvet and fringed with green and white silk; more partisans, pikes and targets; 7 crossbows of sundry making with 4 pairs of windlasses being broken; a rack to bend a crossbow; a crossbow for stone shot; a quiver for prick arrows for crossbows.

Broughty Castle, Fife delivered 12 January 1548; 100 hand-guns with flasks, touch-boxes, bullet-moulds and matches. Powder and shot were delivered for the navy in the Firth of Forth at the same time, with 100 yew bows and 30 hagbuts.